Con Man (offering Bollinger Champagne) image attached

[SueJ]

Just to let you all know, there is a con man on the loose today...

He offered us Bollinger Champagne at 12 bottles for ?100.00, he said he was John Brooks, brother of Roy Brooks the local estate agent. Did not have anything to hand and wouldn`t deliver anything usless given cash in advance, as he has not returned I am pretty sure it was a scam.

I have been to see Roy Brooks and they have confirmed no knowledge of him. I have informed the police.

No doubt his story will change to suit your circumstances. We were offered champagne as we are a catering company.

He is around 50 - 60 years old, dresed in a suit, with noticably bandy legs, fairly plump or a typical build for a man of that age, short dark hair with touches of grey. Comes across very professional, trusting and personable.

Please beware.

Suzanne

[HonaloochieB]

Sounds to me as if the 13th Duke of Wybourne is up to his old tricks.

The old rascal.

[Jah Lush]

Me? The 13th Duke Of Wybourne in the girls dormitory... with my reputation?

[jollybaby]

Noticably bandy legs!! What a fabulous description.

[robotcat]

You mean this man?

CHAMPAGNE CHARLIE

Did my work a couple of years ago

[SueJ]

Sounds like the same guy.

Said he was John Brooks, brother of Roy and the guys in the office said he should call up and see me!

Noticably bandy legs is more polite than saying walked like an ape! Perhaps I should not be so considerate of someones feelings!

[panmum]

Is this him ? (I'll get me coat....)

[SueJ]

Robotcat thank you, I am sorry to hear that your place of work was conned.

I googled his name and came across the link below which actually shows an image of him.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/3088287.stm

[corinne R]

Sue, Really sorry to hear of your encounter with this horrible man...Contact the South London Press, Evening Standard,get his name and photograph in newspapers again, just contact the press desk; nationals often pick up from that too. That would be satisfying retribution in my book!

[james84]

Report him to the police, they will know where he lives and pick him up again and probably prosecute as he has been convicted before.

[SueJ]

Have done!

Am waiting for someone to get back to me

And Toptotty, will crack on with this

Sue

PS Thank you to all on EDF for your help - Miss Marples watch out!

[HonaloochieB]

Del Boy off of Only Fools & Horses does this sort of thing and people enjoy his cheeky roguery, poor old Brooks Senior tries to make a little poppy from the gullibulls in the SE22 postcode and people want his guts for gaiters.

Funny old world.

[????]

If he was offering Extra Virgin Olive Oil in a an 'italian rustic' Bruschetta for ?4.50 a slice on the Lane he'd be considered kosher

[HonaloochieB]

Actually I could go a couple of slices of that now, Quids.

Know where I might pick up a reasonably priced sparkling wine to wash them down?

[SueJ]

Ouch!

I dont blame you all for having a giggle.

I posted because I wanted to let you all know that he is in the area. Please be aware of his scam, he is pretty convincing. Now that I have found the photo perhaps he wont be able to use his con on an unsuspecting business.

[ianr]

> Report him to the police, they will know where he lives and pick him up again and probably prosecute as he has been convicted before.

I doubt they'll think there's enough evidence to consider that. But note that someone can be recalled (see section 6 here) to prison to complete the remainder of a sentence, even after having been released, as is usual, before its full term.

> Contact the South London Press, Evening Standard,get his name and photograph in newspapers again

I wonder if they'd risk any identifying reference on current information. But passing the word around the trade of someone using this MO might be a good idea.

>You mean this man? / CHAMPAGNE CHARLIE / Did my work a couple of years ago

Mr Clugston seems to have been quite fortunate in his sentencing appeals. And to have had a very limited career pattern. Makes you wonder about the usefulness of very expensive prison sentences.

> poor old Brooks Senior tries to make a little poppy from the gullibulls in the SE22 postcode and people want his guts for gaiters.

Who he?

[????]

Man appears at door, with no merchandise, and asks for a ?100 upfront cash - what's wrong with that? What next, you'll be telling me the perfume you buy off milk crates on Oxford Street isn't the real deal?

...anyway, I have access to the Nigerian Sovreighn Development Fund worth ?275 million, if u pass me your bank account details etc

[HonaloochieB]

Roy's brother, do pay attention IanR.

[ianr]

HonaloochieB Wrote:

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> Roy's brother, do pay attention IanR.

I didn't think you'd be misrepresenting him.

[SueJ]

Actually...

Man walks into business, shakes hand, introduces himself as neighbouring business and says team have asked him to pop in and see me.

So not quite "want to buy some magic beans"!

And by putting the details on the EDF I have been able to identify him AND it now appears that he tried the same scam in Herne Hill about 2 months ago.

He is obviously working the area.

[????]

Do you want to buy some magic beans by the way?

[SueJ]

I hope ???? your turn will not come

Go on, have a giggle, I do not mind in the least.

I dont do anything dodgy in my business and would not. This guy was just very convincing and I wanted to alert others.

And would you consider donating some of your magic beans to my schools project? If so then yes please!

[HonaloochieB]

Are they Heinz?

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

A judge called 'Pontius'? How delicious.

[corinne R]

HonaloochieB Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Del Boy off of Only Fools & Horses does this sort

> of thing and people enjoy his cheeky roguery, poor

> old Brooks Senior tries to make a little poppy

> from the gullibulls in the SE22 postcode and

> people want his guts for gaiters.

>

> Funny old world.

Get real HonaloochieB - Del Boy was fictitious. Champagne Charlie is a confident, repetitive, con artist. Note the difference.

> Contact the South London Press, Evening Standard,get his name and photograph in newspapers again

IanR

I wonder if they'd risk any identifying reference on current information. But passing the word around the trade of someone using this MO might be a good idea.

As long as Champagne Charlie does not have a court case pending press could refer to it...sure they would know how to word it...

AND

???? were those beans bitter!